8 Tips for Hiring Commercial Contractors in Colorado Springs

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Have you noticed your commercial property is due for an update? If it has been more than 20 years since you remodeled, then the answer is likely a resounding “yes!” However, even if you have a relatively new property, investing in upgrades can increase the earning potential of your business. If you need work done on or to your commercial property, hiring the right commercial contractors Colorado Springs is essential.

The issue is finding the right contractor for the job. There are many options, which makes decisions even more challenging.

While competition is good and helps keep prices competitive, it also leaves you wondering whom to hire.

Don’t worry, there are a few tips that will help you find and hire the right contractor. With these tips, you can feel confident your needs and goals will be achieved.

Ready to learn more? If so, let’s dive in!

1. Get Recommendations for Commercial Contractors Colorado Springs

You may want to turn to Google to learn about contractor options in your area. While Google can provide a general list of options, you must ensure your research goes beyond this basic step.

For example, searching for contractors online means receiving a mix of residential and commercial service providers. It’s up to you to sift through the mix to find those who provide commercial solutions.

Additionally, many contractors (even the great ones) may not have many reviews. This means you won’t access much information like this.

It’s still up to you to research the options you are given. A better strategy is to use these tips to create a short list of potential service providers:

  • Ask other commercial property owners
  • Talk to your architect
  • Get recommendations from a commercial real estate broker

These sources can provide information about local contractors with a good reputation in the community. It’s a good starting point for any project.

2. Determine How You Will Hire a Contractor

How are you going to go about hiring a contractor? For example, will you bid on your project or select a contractor and then negotiate the price?

Either option is fine; however, you need to select a commercial contractor based on a combination of qualifications and price.

If you try to choose someone based on who offers the lowest bid, it may result in you getting a contractor who isn’t committed to safety or quality.

You may want to evaluate several contractors initially. Find the most qualified service provider from your evaluation, then negotiate a fair price. This method is called sole source procurement.

An alternative option is to check several contractors, find the two to three most reputable options and invite them to bid on your project. This method is called best value source selection.

If you choose this method, you know everyone providing a bid has the needed qualifications. It also means you will feel more confident choosing someone who offers a lower bid.

If you solicit bids from several contractors, be sure they bid on the same project scope. If you don’t, it may be impossible to compare and determine which provides the most value.

When evaluating bids from commercial contractors, it’s important to understand that if some are much lower than others, it may indicate that the contractor missed part of the project. In other cases, they may leave something out of their bid unintentionally.

Either situation may leave you with subpar results for the project.

3. Ask Contractors About Similar Projects They Have Completed

If you are planning restaurant construction or remodeling, the project’s scope will be unique from what is needed for a medical clinic.

Select a contractor in your local area who has previously completed similar jobs.

Each building type has unique challenges. You need a contractor who is familiar with these nuances and who knows how to navigate them.

4. Look into Bonding

Most contractors must invest in a licensing bond to receive a license to engage in contractor work.

The official name for this is “surety,” which essentially guarantees that the contractor will work according to the applicable standards and laws.

A licensing bond protects property owners against fraud and negligence. However, these are limited to a certain monetary value.

Usually, the dollar amount is minimal compared to the total cost of a commercial project.

There may be requirements related to the value of a licensing bond. However, this isn’t always the case.

For example, in Colorado, general contractors must receive the proper bonding and licensing information from the county or municipality where they provide services.

The requirements here are not determined at the state level.

There are other bonds contractors can acquire that are more specific to the project being done. For example, a “contract bond” guarantees that the contractor will complete all contract terms. If they fail to do this, the surety steps in and do this on their behalf.

Contractors with a contract bond also show that the surety company has carefully vetted the contractor. The surety company will only issue the bond if the contractor is found to be an “acceptable risk.”

If a contractor is turned down for a bond, it should be a red flag.

5. Verify Contractor Insurance Coverage

You can’t just ask a contractor if they are insured and take their word for it. You need to request proof.

Insurance requirements for contractors vary from one state to another. However, the contractor you hire should provide proof they have the necessary insurance.

If you find the contractor’s insurance coverage seems suspicious, it is a good idea to move on and find a different service provider.

6. Check the Contractor’s References

Reputable commercial contractors will have no problem providing reference information.

When you are given this information, take time to contact the references. Be sure to ask specific (rather than general) questions.

For example, you can ask how the contractor handled issues that arose during the project. You should also ask about contractor communication and if they finished the job on time and within the established budget.

7. Interview Potential Commercial Contractors

All the tips above are important. However, you should not skip interviewing a potential contractor because they have quality marketing materials and offer a good price.

An interview will allow you to better understand the contractor’s abilities.

You should also ask to meet all the people who will be working on the project. You should never just meet the president of the company or a salesperson. Chances are, they don’t impact the day-to-day part of the work you need to do.

Also, remember that the people you hire aren’t there for a day. You will work with them for several months (in many cases).

Because of this, you need to ensure you hire someone you can work with well. Consider the chemistry and if you feel comfortable around them.

You need someone you can easily communicate with and a contractor you can trust.

When you interview the contractors, if there is one you are more comfortable with and all other things are equal, choose the one that you find the most trustworthy.

8. Hire Local Contractors

If possible, hire a local contractor.

Local people are much easier to contact if concerns are present. They are more likely to be familiar with the coding and permitting requirements specific to the local area.

Something to consider includes if the contractor has a local, physical address that you can go to. Take time to stop by.

Doing this will let you know for sure that it is not a suspicious or fake address. If you can’t find the location or if it doesn’t exist, move on to a different service provider.

You can also ask the contractor if they have ever done business under a different name.

You should also ask if the contractor is licensed. Don’t be shy about this. Request their license number and information about getting in touch with them.

Use These Tips to Find the Best Commercial Contractor for Your Project

As you can see, there are more than a few factors to consider when searching for commercial contractors Colorado Springs. Keep the information and tips here in mind to find a contractor who can handle the job you need to be done.

While the process may seem daunting initially, it does not have to be. When you know what to look for and consider, you can easily find the right contractor for your needs.

Do you want to feel confident that you have found the right commercial contractor for your project? If so, call or email us today.

We will learn about the scope of your project, budget, and other factors to ensure you get the results you want and need.

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About Hammers Construction

Over 60 years ago, Steve and Dave Hammers’ father began a commercial construction company in Northern Minnesota. Steve and Dave are carrying on the family tradition and passion for design-build construction. In 1986, the business bearing the family name, expanded to the Rocky Mountains. In 1991, Hammers Construction, Inc. (HCI) became an independent entity in Colorado Springs, CO. Over the years, HCI has earned a reputation for honesty, integrity, and professionalism in the very unique design-build construction industry.

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